The 5 Most Telling Stats for the Clemson Tigers This Season

Statistics can tell us a lot about a team. And for the Clemson University Tigers, it’s been no different. The Tigers have played as well defensively as any team in the country, but the offensive struggles have been well-noted over the last few weeks.

I have put together a list of five statistics that pretty much sum up how the season has gone so far. These numbers will show how well the defense has played, but they also show how much the offense has struggled to find consistency.

All stats used in this slideshow came from CFBStats.com.

Third-Down Defense

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The Tigers defense has been successful largely because of the effectiveness on third down. Opponents have been successful on only 22.95 percent of their third-down attempts this season.

The Tigers are keeping opposing offenses on the sideline and giving their offense better opportunities to score with those stops on third down. With defensive ends Vic Beasley and Corey Crawford rushing the passer, it’s no surprise that the Tigers have been this successful on third down.

Rushing Yards Per Game

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The need for a solid running game has been clear all season, but things are looking better as of late. Wayne Gallman recently went over 100 yards against Syracuse University, so it will be interesting to see how the Tigers run the ball down the stretch against Georgia Tech and the University of South Carolina.

The Tigers are averaging only 140.8 rushing yards per game, which is good for only 93rd in the nation. There isn’t a ton of depth at the position—with injuries to Zac Brooks, Tyshon Dye and Adam Choice—but the offensive line hasn’t created a ton of space for the other backs either.

Difference in Production at Quarterback

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The difference in the offense with Cole Stoudt at quarterback has been visible just by watching, but the numbers are also in favor of Deshaun Watson.

Watson—the true freshman—has thrown for 10 more touchdowns and 33 more yards, even with 70 fewer passing attempts than Stoudt.

The Tigers offense averaged 45.5 points per game when Watson took over as the starter for two games, but the unit has only averaged 16.5 points per game over the last two games with Stoudt under center.

Sacks/Tackles for Loss

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Another reason why the defense has been outstanding this season is the constant disruption in the backfield. The Tigers are tied for fifth in the nation with 30 sacks and second in tackles for loss with 78.

Beasley is among the best in the country with eight sacks of his own, and the supporting cast has also played exceptionally well to this point.

The sacks have set up passing situations on third down, and the tackles for loss have kept opponents from being able to consistently run the ball.

Red-Zone Offense/Defense

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You could look at this statistic as a strength or a weakness, depending on which side of the ball you are talking about.

The defense is fourth in the NCAA in red-zone defense, only allowing opponents to score on 66.67 percent of their trips within the 20-yard line.

The offense has been another story. Clemson is scoring on just 72.73 percent of its trips to the red zone, with only 15 of those scores being touchdowns.